European beech is a stately deciduous tree 25–35 m tall with a smooth grey trunk and a broad, dense crown of lustrous green leaves that turn copper‑gold in autumn, often persisting dry through winter. Shade‑casting and long‑lived, it thrives on deep, fertile, well‑drained soils and tolerates pruning into magnificent formal hedges. Beechnuts support wildlife, while its timber ranks among Europe’s finest. Hardy to −30 °C and moderately dr…